Parents’ Experiences of Monitoring Their Adolescents’ Compliance With Diversion Orders

A Co-Constructed Practice Model for Supporting Parents of Children in Conflict With the Law

“…Intervention design and development employs various approaches that "construct a systematic methodology for evolving human service interventions" (Thomas & Rothman in Rothman & Thomas, 1994:3). An earlier study (Abdulla & Goliath, 2015) focused on parents' experiences of monitoring their children's compliance with diversion orders. The latter study highlighted the formal and informal support parents need during the CJP in monitoring their children's compliance with diversion orders (Abdulla & Goliath, 2015).…”

“…An earlier study (Abdulla & Goliath, 2015) focused on parents' experiences of monitoring their children's compliance with diversion orders. The latter study highlighted the formal and informal support parents need during the CJP in monitoring their children's compliance with diversion orders (Abdulla & Goliath, 2015). To address the absence of support for parents of CCL, the current study facilitated the active participation of parents of CCL and child justice officials in co-constructing the design and development of a practice model for supporting parents of CCL during the CJP.…”

“…Parents in the present study expressed their struggles in accessing social work services despite many attempts to find a social worker to assist them. A mother reflected on her long journey in trying to access social work services in managing her child's challenging behaviour: Although the findings point to parents seeking help for their children's at-risk behaviour, the lack of available support to assist parents prior to their children's entry into the CJS is a major concern (Abdulla & Goliath, 2015). Parents are able to identify some of the at-risk behaviours; however, appropriate assistance and support are not readily accessible, resulting in parents losing hope of accessing help for their children.…”

“…Contrary to the Children's Act 38 of 2005 (Chapter 9, section 150) (South Africa, 2006) Chapter 4, Section 24 of the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 (South Africa, 2009) does not make any provision for the parent to request or access support services. No programmes or services are offered to help parents in fulfilling their parental responsibility in providing appropriate care for their child, to manage their child's behaviour during and after the CJP, or to support the parent during the CJP (Abdulla & Goliath, 2015;Steyn, 2012;Reyneke & Reyneke, 2011). The majority of parents of adolescents in conflict with the law expressed the need for "counselling, support, information and guidance" during the child justice process (Abdulla & Goliath, 2015:215).…”

Juvenile Diversion and the Family: How Youth and Parents Experience Diversion Programming

“…These programs may occur in various forms, such as individual or family counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, community service, juvenile drug court, and teen court (Schwalbe et al, 2012). Parents, as opposed to the state or justice system officials, typically assume a supervisory role to ensure that their child is adhering to program requirements (Abdulla & goliath, 2015;Schlesinger, 2018). In addition, parents must consent to their child's participation in diversion and are often responsible for the financial costs of program participation (Harvell et al, 2004).…”